Risk factors for coronary heart disease in two similar Indian population groups, one residing in India, and the other in Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of coronary risk factors among South Asian Indians in Australia and India. Design: Cross-sectional intercountry comparison. Subjects: Healthy volunteers aged 23-75 y recruited from the Indian community in Sydney Australia (n¼125), and their nominated relatives in India, (n¼125). Results: The two groups were of similar background with over 90% of the group in India being siblings, parents or relatives of the group in Australia. There was no difference in the populations between India and Australia with regard to mean age (40711.5 vs 39710. Conclusion:The group in Australia (especially women) have a more favourable disease risk profile than those in India. The fact that the groups are of such similar background and partly related, make it unlikely that changes due to migration have a strong genetic bias. In contrast to other studies, the absence here of excessive weight gain on migration may be a key factor in disease risk prevention.

The impact of migration on body weight: a review

“…Two studies 43,46 of Indian and Sri Lankan immigrants reported that the cardiovascular risk profile was worse in nonimmigrants, despite the fact that BMI was lower or equal in this group. Mahajan & Bermingham 43 found that the level of abdominal obesity was lower (waist-hip ratio) among Indian immigrants than among men and women living in the country of origin.…”

“…Two studies 43,46 of Indian and Sri Lankan immigrants reported that the cardiovascular risk profile was worse in nonimmigrants, despite the fact that BMI was lower or equal in this group. Mahajan & Bermingham 43 found that the level of abdominal obesity was lower (waist-hip ratio) among Indian immigrants than among men and women living in the country of origin. Tennakoon et al 46 found that female Sri Lankan immigrants had higher BMI and higher waist circumference, but lower triglyceride and blood pressure levels than women living in Sri Lanka, while Bhatnagar et al 45 reported worse cardiovascular profiles, higher BMI values, and higher total cholesterol levels among Indians living in England when compared to their counterparts living in India.…”

“…Five of the studies 45,46,47,48,49 reported that immigrants had a higher BMI than the control group. A study of Indian immigrants living in Australia 43 showed no significant difference in BMI among men. However, the group living in India had higher waist-hip ratios.…”

“…However, the group living in India had higher waist-hip ratios. Two studies 43,46 showed that the cardiovascular risk profile was better in immigrants than in the control group.…”

“…All samples included both genders. Two studies 43,45 used relatives as controls. Five of the studies 45,46,47,48,49 reported that immigrants had a higher BMI than the control group.…”